Solar power station

ABSTRACT

A solar power station includes a solar panel assembly, having a substantially planar solar panel, and first, second and third towers. Each of the towers includes multiple vertically stacked floors and a main bearing structure pivotally mounting the solar panel assembly to the tower upper end. Each of the floors includes an arrangement of robots that are connected to each vertically adjacent floor. At least some of the robots including hydraulic jacks. A controller selectively actuates the hydraulic jacks, such that each of the towers is individually extendable from a bottom position to an extended position. Selectively moving one or more of the towers rotates the solar panel about one or both of the axes, whereby the solar panel is maintained at an optimal orientation for collecting solar power.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to solar power systems. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to solar power systemshaving a tracking system for accurately pointing a solar collector atthe sun throughout the day.

Early solar power systems included solar tracking systems employing twoindependent drives to tilt the solar collector about two axes. Thefirst, an elevation axis, allowed the collector to be tilted within anangular range of about ninety degrees between “looking at the horizon”and “looking straight up”. The second, an azimuth axis, is required toallow the collector to track from east to west. The required range ofangular rotation depends on the earth's latitude at which the solarcollector is installed. For example, in the tropics the angular rotationneeds more than 360 degrees.

These early solar power tracking systems generally used electric driveshaving high ratio gear reducers to turn the collector in the directionof the sun. Error in the gear reducers or linkage between the motor andcollector, such as backlash and non-linearly, detracted from theaccuracy. When high accuracy was required, the gear reducers were veryexpensive.

These conventional solar power systems occasionally suffered damage fromhigh winds. Thus, it is known to place the solar collector in a windstow position and avoid damage when winds exceed the designspecifications. “Wind stow” is an attitude of the collector thatpresents the smallest “sail” area to the wind. Generally, a wind sensorwas used trigger a command for the elevation actuator to point thecollector straight up. The electric elevation actuators and high ratiospeed reducers utilized by these systems were very slow to put thecollector into wind stow, sometimes taking as long as forty-fiveminutes. If movement to the wind stow position was initiated at a lowthreshold value of the wind, to account for the long lead time, theefficiency of the solar power station was adversely affected. Ifefficiency was optimized by increasing the threshold value of windrequired to initiate movement to the wind stow position, a rapidlyincreasing wind would cause damage to the solar collector.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,067 proposed a solar power system that had anexoskeleton structure secured to the rear surface of the solarcollection device and that is pivotally secured about a horizontal axisto the front end of an azimuth platform assembly. A hydraulic elevationactuator is pivotally mounted in the azimuth platform assembly about ahorizontal axis and the front end of its piston rod is pivotallyconnected to the rear surface of the solar collection device, allowingthe solar collection device to be pivoted approximately 90 degreesbetween a vertical operating position and a horizontal storage position.Primary and a secondary azimuth hydraulic actuator are used to rotatethe collection device for tracking the sun. It was believed that such atracking system would require less time to move the solar collector tothe wind stow position. However, the solar collector of such a solarpower system can not be scaled up significantly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is a solar powerstation which comprises a solar panel assembly having a substantiallyplanar solar panel. Multiple towers are individually extendable from abottom position to an extended position. Each of the towers has an upperend and a main bearing structure pivotally mounting the solar panelassembly to the tower upper end. Selectively moving one or more of thetowers rotates the solar panel about one or both of the axes of thesolar panel, such that the solar panel is maintained at an optimalorientation for collecting solar power.

Preferably, the solar power station includes first, second and thirdtowers, the first tower being longitudinally spaced from the secondtower and the third tower being laterally spaced from the first andsecond towers.

The main bearing structure of the towers includes a main slide bearingbox mounted to the tower upper end. A main support shaft extendslongitudinally through the main slide bearing box, and is longitudinallyand rotationally movable relative to the main slide bearing box. For thefirst and second towers, first and second support boxes are mounted onthe main support shaft first and second end portions, respectively, andto the solar panel assembly. For the third tower, first and secondsecondary slide bearing boxes are longitudinally mounted on the mainsupport shaft first and second end portions. First and second secondarysupport shafts extend laterally through the first and secondary slidebearing boxes, respectively. First and second support boxes are mountedon the first and second end portions, respectively, of each of the firstand second secondary support shafts, and to the solar panel assembly.

The main slide bearing box includes a lower mounting assembly fixedlymounted to the tower upper end and an upper bearing assembly having alongitudinal opening for receiving the main support shaft. The upperbearing assembly is pivotally mounted to the lower mounting assemblyabout the lateral axis.

The solar power station includes a controller for actuating movement ofthe towers between the bottom and extended positions. The solar powerstation may include an earthquake senor, the controller withdrawing allof the towers to the bottom position when the detected ground vibrationrises above a predetermined level. The solar power station may include awind senor, the controller withdrawing all of the towers to the bottomposition when the detected wind force rises above a predetermined level.

Each of the towers comprises a plurality of vertically stacked floors,including a ground floor and at least one upper floor. Each of thefloors includes an arrangement of robots (R1, R2, R3, R4) and aconnecting framework of push and pull steel frames (F1, F2). The robotsof each floor are connected to each vertically adjacent floor. Therobots (R1, R2, R3, R4) and steel frames (F1, F2) are organized ingroups (HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4), the associated robots andsteel frames of each group being connected together. The R1 robotsinclude hydraulic jacks for moving the towers between the bottom andextended positions. The hydraulic jacks of the R1 robots of the groundfloor include springs.

The ground floor further includes a base member, an upper plate,multiple spring devices disposed between the base member and the upperplate, and multiple poles. Each of the poles extends vertically, from afoot mounted to the base member, through an opening in the upper plate.During a strong wind or an earthquake, the upper plate moves verticallyupward or downward along the pole whereby the spring devices absorbshock energy generated by lateral forces exerted on the tower by thewind or the earthquake.

The ground floor further includes an outer, space frame ring forming aframework mounted to the base member and having multiple of bracketsdisposed above the upper plate. Each of the brackets has an opening forreceiving a one of the poles, whereby the space frame ring constrainshorizontal deflection of the poles.

Each upperfloor includes an upper plate, with openings for receiving thepoles. The robots of each upper floor are connected to the upper plateof the respective floor and the upper plate of the floor verticallybelow the respective floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood and its numerous objectsand advantages will become apparent to those skilled in the art byreference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view of a solar power station system inaccordance with the invention, showing the system positioned forcapturing sunlight at sunrise;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the solar power station system ofFIG. 1, showing the system positioned for capturing sunlight at noon;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the solar power station system ofFIG. 1, showing the system positioned for capturing sunlight at sundown;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the solar power station system ofFIG. 1, showing the system being positioned in a first direction ofrotation;

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the solar power station system ofFIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the support box, the supportshaft, and the slide bearing box of the first or second towers of FIG.1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the support box and the supportshaft of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the support box and thesupport shaft of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a cross-section view taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a cross-section view taken along line X-X of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exploded view of the piston shock absorber of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged front view of the slide bearing box of FIG. 6;

FIG. 13 is a cross-section view taken along line XIII-XIII of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged cross-section view of the turnable compressionbearing of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is an enlarged cross-section view taken along line XV-XV of FIG.13;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the main slide bearing box,the main support shaft, the secondary slide bearing boxes, the secondarysupport shafts, and the support boxes of the third tower of FIG. 1;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged bottom view of the support box of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a cross-section view taken along line XVIII-XVIII of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a cross-section view taken along line XIX-XIX of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is an enlarged front view of one of the secondary slide bearingboxes of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a side view of the secondary slide bearing boxes of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is an enlarged side view of the main slide bearing box of FIG.16;

FIG. 23 is a front view of the main slide bearing box of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a top view of the solar power station of FIG. 1, with thesolar panel assembly removed;

FIG. 25 is a top view of the solar power station of FIG. 2, with thesolar panel assembly removed;

FIG. 26 is a top view of the solar power station of FIG. 3, with thesolar panel assembly removed;

FIGS. 27 a, 27 b and 27 c are simplified side views, partly incross-section of the main bearing structure of the first or secondtower, with the main bearing structure unexposed to an externalhorizontal force (FIG. 27 a), with the main bearing structure exposed toan external horizontal force from the right (FIG. 27 b), and with themain bearing structure exposed to an external horizontal force from theleft (FIG. 27 c);

FIG. 28 is a simplified perspective view of the robots of a typicaltower floor;

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the HR1 and VR1 groups of FIG. 28;

FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of the HR3 group of FIG. 28;

FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the VR3 group of FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the HR2 group of FIG. 28;

FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the VR2 group of FIG. 28;

FIGS. 34 a-34 d are enlarged views of one of the intersections of groupHR2 and group VR2 of one of the upper floors of FIG. 28, showing the HR2and VR2 groups withdrawn (FIGS. 34 a and 34 c) and extended (FIGS. 34 band 34 d);

FIGS. 35 a to 35 c are enlarged views of a robot R1, showing the robotR1 in the extended position (FIG. 35 a), showing the robot R1 in theextended position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 35 b), showing the robot R1 inthe retracted position (FIG. 35 c), and showing the robot R1 in theretracted position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 35 d);

FIGS. 36 a to 36 c are enlarged views of a robot R4, showing the robotR4 in the extended position (FIG. 36 a), showing the robot R4 in theextended position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 36 b), showing the robot R4 inthe retracted position (FIG. 36 c), and showing the robot R4 in theretracted position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 36 d);

FIGS. 37 a to 37 c are enlarged views of a robot R3, showing the robotR3 in the extended position (FIG. 37 a), showing the robot R3 in theextended position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 37 b), showing the robot R3 inthe retracted position (FIG. 37 c), and showing the robot R3 in theretracted position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 37 d);

FIGS. 38 a to 38 c are enlarged views of a robot R5, showing the robotR5 in the extended position (FIG. 38 a), showing the robot R5 in theextended position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 38 b), showing the robot R5 inthe retracted position (FIG. 38 c), and showing the robot R5 in theretracted position, with one of the horizontal roller frames andcorresponding pair of jacks removed (FIG. 38 d);

FIG. 39 is an exploded view of a Robot R1/Robot R5;

FIG. 40 is an enlarged exploded view of the lock set of the RobotR1/Robot R5 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 41 is an enlarged exploded view of the cable reel of the RobotR1/Robot R5 of FIG. 39;

FIG. 42 is an enlarged view of the cable lock of FIG. 41;

FIG. 43 is an enlarged view of the cable fastener of FIG. 39;

FIG. 44 is an exploded view of a Robot R2;

FIG. 45 is an enlarged perspective view of a space frame ring of one ofthe towers;

FIG. 46 is an exploded perspective view of the space frame ring of FIG.45;

FIG. 47 is a sectional view of the space frame ring of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is an exploded view of the first two floors of one of thetowers;

FIG. 49 is a perspective view of one of the towers;

FIG. 50 is an enlarged view of the VR4 group of FIG. 28;

FIGS. 51 a and 51 b are enlarged views of one of the intersections ofgroup HR2 and group VR2 of the ground floor of FIG. 28, showing the HR2and VR2 groups withdrawn (FIG. 51 a) and extended (FIG. 51 b);

FIGS. 52 a to 52 f are enlarged views of a robot R2, showing the robotR2 in the extended position (FIG. 52 a), showing the robot R2 in theextended position, with one of the horizontal roller frames and oneupper clipper and one lower clipper of the second pair of clipperassemblies removed (FIG. 52 b), showing the robot R2 in the retractedposition (FIG. 52 c), showing the robot R2 in the retracted position,with one of the horizontal roller frames and one upper clipper and onelower clipper of the second pair of clipper assemblies removed (FIG. 52d), showing the robot R2 in the retracted position, with the uppertransverse frame removed (FIG. 52 e), and showing the robot R2 in theextended position, with the upper transverse frame removed (FIG. 52 f);and

FIG. 53 is a functional block diagram of the solar power station controlsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent likeparts throughout the several figures, a solar power station inaccordance with the present invention is generally designated by thenumeral 10. The solar power station 10 includes three, substantiallyidentical, dynamic steel truss towers 12, 14, 16 supporting a solarpanel assembly 18. Supports 20 20 at the ground floor stabilize andsupport each of the towers 12, 14, 16. It should be appreciated that thesolar panel assembly 18 is positioned to optimize collection of sunlightand that the operating description provided below is for illustrationpurposes only. The operation of the towers 12, 14, 16 for orienting thesolar panel assembly 18 depends on the topography, latitude andlongitude of the installation site.

The solar power station 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3 is installed such that theplanar solar panel 19 of the solar panel assembly 18 of FIG. 1 ispositioned to receive sun light at sunrise, the solar panel assembly 18of FIG. 2 is positioned to receive sun light at noon, and the solarpanel assembly 18 of FIG. 3 is positioned to receive sun light atsundown. To optimize collection of the solar power, the solar panelassembly 18 is positioned perpendicular (or as close as possible) to thedirection of the sunlight. To properly position the solar panel assembly18 at dawn, the first and third towers 12, 16 are at a bottom position22 and the second tower 14 is at a fully extended position 24. As thesun rises to the noontime position, the first and third towers 12, 16are extended from the bottom position 22. The first tower 12 is extendedat a greater rate than the third tower 16, causing the solar panelassembly 18 to rotate about the longitudinal and lateral axes RA1 andRA2. When the sun is at the noontime position, the first tower 12 hasbeen extended to the fully extended position 24, the third tower 16 hasbeen extended to an intermediate position 26 (between the bottomposition 22 and the fully extended position 24), and the second tower 14has been held fixed in the fully extended position 24. As the sun fallsto sundown, the second and third towers 14, 16 are withdrawn from thefully extended position 24 and the intermediate position 26,respectively. The second tower 14 is withdrawn at a greater rate thanthe third tower 16, causing the solar panel assembly 18 to furtherrotate about axis RA1 and RA2. At sundown, the second and third towers14, 16 have been withdrawn to the bottom position 22 and the first tower12 has been held fixed in the fully extended position 24.

FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate operation of the towers 12, 14, 16 to orientthe solar panel assembly 18 substantially opposite to the solar panelassembly 18 shown in FIGS. 1-3 for a site location where the light pathto the solar power station 10 is opposite to that shown in FIGS. 1-3. InFIGS. 4 and 5, the second tower 14 is positioned at the fully extendedposition 24, the first tower 12 is positioned at a first intermediateposition 26 (proximate to the bottom position), and the third tower 16is positioned at a second intermediate position 26′ (proximate to thefully extended position). FIGS. 1-5 also illustrate the range of motionthat may be required to optimize exposure of the solar panel assembly 18of a solar power station 10 installed on a moveable object, for examplea ship.

The main bearing structures 28, 28′ of the first and second towers 12,14 are best illustrated by referring FIGS. 6-15. Each of the bearingstructures 28, 28′ includes a slide bearing box 30, a support shaft 32extending through the slide bearing box 30, and first and second supportboxes 34, 36 mounted at either end of the support shaft 32. The supportshaft 32 is a solid steel shaft. The first and second end portions 38,40 of the support shaft 32 are pinned within receptacles 42 of the firstand second support boxes 34, 36 by steel bars 44. A steel plate 46 isremovably mounted in each support box by bolts and nuts 48 to furtherlimit axial movement of the support shaft 32 within the receptacle 42. Asteel frame 50 is fixedly mounted to a base plate 52, preferably bywelds.

The second support box 36 has a shock absorber 54 disposed within aninner chamber 56 (FIGS. 10 and 11). The shock absorber 54 includes acompression bracket 58 at the front of the shock absorber structure. Thecompression bracket 58 may include a circular, turnable, steel plate 60sandwiched between two layers of compression bearing 62. A recessed boltand nut 64 mounts a plastic compression cushion 66 to the steel plate60. Four recessed channels 68 are equidistantly disposed around theperiphery of the compression bracket 58. A piston ring 70 welded to theend of compression bracket 58 has four recessed channels correspondingto the compression bracket channels 68. The piston ring 70 includes anaxial cylinder 72 through which the support shaft 32 passes. The pistonring 70 and compression bracket 58 are reciprocable within a cylinderblock 74. The inner surface of the cylinder block 74 has at least one,axially extending rib 76 that is received within one of the compressionbracket channels 68 and piston ring channels to prevent the piston ring70 and compression bracket 58 from rotating within the cylinder block74. Four shock absorbers 78 are radially spaced within the cylinderblock 74. One end of each shock absorber 78 is mounted to a strut 80,extending from the end face of compression bracket 58, by a pin 82 andthe other end of each shock absorber 78 is mounted to a strut 84,extending from the support box base plate 86, by a pin 82. Each shockabsorber 78 includes a heavy duty spring 88.

With reference to FIGS. 12-15, the slide bearing box 30 includes anupper bearing assembly 90 and a lower mounting assembly 92. The bearingassembly 90 includes a slide bearing 94 having a circular shapecomplimentary to that of the support shaft 32. The slide bearing 94 ismounted within a box assembly 96 that is mounted to a base plate 98 bybolts and nuts. An upper bearing plate structure 100 extends downwardlyfrom the base plate 98. An upper structural frame 102 welded to the boxassembly 96 and the base plate 98 and a lower structural frame 104welded to the upper bearing plate structure 100 and the base plate 98provide additional structural integrity.

The mounting assembly 92 includes a lower bearing plate structure 106that extends upwardly from a base plate 108, with a support frame 110welded to the lower bearing plate structure 106 and the base plate 108providing additional structural integrity. The base plate 108 is mountedto a truss platform 112 by bolts and nuts.

The upper and lower bearing plate structures 100, 106 each includemultiple bearing plates 114, 116, with each of the bearing plates 114,116 having a bearing surround opening 118 extending therethrough. Thebearing plates 116 of the lower bearing plate structure 106 are disposedbetween bearing plates 114 of the upper bearing plate structure 100 suchthat the bearing plate openings 118 are aligned. A solid, cylindricalshaft 120 passes through openings 118 in each of the bearing plates 114,116 to connect the bearing assembly 90 to the mounting assembly 92 (FIG.14). A compression bearing 122 is positioned between each plate 114, 116of the upper and lower bearing plate structures 100, 106, with the shaft120 extending through apertures 124 in each of the compression bearings122.

The main bearing structures 126 of the third tower 16 are bestillustrated by referring FIGS. 16-23. The bearing structure 126 includesa main slide bearing box 128, a main support shaft 130 extending throughthe main slide bearing box 128, a secondary slide bearing box 132mounted at each end of the main support shaft 130, two secondary supportshafts 134 extending through each of the secondary slide bearing boxes132, and support boxes 136 mounted at either end of the secondarysupport shafts 134. The two secondary slide bearing boxes 132 aresubstantially identical, the four secondary support shafts 134 aresubstantially identical, and all of the support boxes 136 aresubstantially identical. All of the support shafts 130, 134 are solidsteel shafts.

With reference to FIGS. 17-19, the first and second end portions 138,140 of each secondary support shafts 134 are pinned within receptacles142 of the support boxes 136 by steel bars 144. A steel plate 146 isremovably mounted in each support box 136 by bolts and nuts to furtherlimit axial movement of the secondary support shafts 134 within thereceptacle 142. A steel frame 148 is fixedly mounted to a base plate150, preferably by welds.

With reference to FIGS. 20-21, the secondary slide bearing box 132includes an upper bearing assembly 152 and a lower support assembly 154.The bearing assembly 152 includes two slide bearings 156 having acircular shape complimentary to that of the secondary support shafts134. The slide bearings 156 are each mounted within a box assembly 158,mounted to a base plate 160 by bolts and nuts, such that the axes 162 ofthe slide bearings 156 are parallel. The first and second end portions164, 166 of the main support shaft 130 are each pinned within areceptacles 168 of the support assembly 154 of one of the secondaryslide bearing boxes 132 by a steel bar 170. A steel plate 172 isremovably mounted in each support assembly 154 by bolts and nuts tofurther limit axial movement of the main support shaft 130 within thereceptacle 168. An upper structural frame 174 welded to the boxassemblies 158 and the base plate 160 and a lower structural frame 176welded to the support assembly 154 and the base plate 160 provideadditional structural integrity. A 3-dimensional steel truss is mountedto the top of each bearing assembly 152 to connect the two secondaryslide bearing boxes 132 (FIG. 16).

With reference to FIGS. 22-23, the main slide bearing box 128 includesan upper bearing assembly 180, a lower mounting assembly 182, and a baseassembly 184. The bearing assembly 180 includes a slide bearing 186having a circular shape complimentary to that of the main support shaft130. The slide bearing 186 is mounted within a box assembly 188 that ismounted to a base plate 190 by bolts and nuts. An upper bearing platestructure 192 extends downwardly from the base plate 190. An upperstructural frame 194 welded to the box assembly 188 and the base plate190 and a lower structural frame 196 welded to the upper bearing platestructure 192 and the base plate 190 provide additional structuralintegrity. The mounting assembly 182 includes a lower bearing platestructure 198 that extends upwardly from a base plate 200, with asupport frame 202 welded to the lower bearing plate structure 198 andthe base plate 200 providing additional structural integrity. The baseassembly 180 of the third tower 16 also includes a rotatable compressorbracket.

The upper and lower bearing plate structures 192, 198 each includemultiple bearing plates 204, 206, with each of the bearing plates 204,206 having a bearing surround opening 208, extending therethrough. Thebearing plates 206 of the lower bearing plate structure 198 are disposedbetween bearing plates 204 of the upper bearing plate structure 192 suchthat the bearing plate openings 208 are aligned. A solid, cylindricalshaft 212 passes through openings 208 in each of the bearing plates 204,206 to connect the bearing assembly 180 to the mounting assembly 182. Acompression bearing 214 is positioned between each plate 204, 206 of theupper and lower bearing plate structures 192, 198, with the shaft 212extending through apertures 216 in each of the compression bearings 214.

The base assembly 184 includes a rotatable compression bracket 218mounted within a steel support frame 220. The compression bracket 218includes a steel plate 222 disposed between upper and lower compressionbearings 224, 226. The steel plate 222 is mounted to the base plate 200of the mounting assembly 182 by recessed bolts and nuts. The supportframe 220 is mounted to a truss platform 228 by bolts and nuts.

FIGS. 24-26 also show the subject solar power station 10 as the solarpanel assembly 18 is being positioned to receive sun light at sunrise(FIG. 24), the solar panel assembly 18 is being positioned to receivesun light at noon (FIG. 25), and the solar panel assembly 18 is beingpositioned to receive sun light at sundown (FIG. 26). In FIG. 24, thefirst tower 12 is being extended 230 from the bottom position, as thesecond and third towers are held at the bottom position. The slidingbearing 94 of the first tower 12 moves 232 within the slide bearing box30 from the right to left (with reference to the Figures), until thefirst tower 12 is fully extended. The sliding bearing 94 of the secondtower 14 is maintained 234 at a rest position. The main slide bearingbox upper bearing assembly 180 of the third tower 16 rotates clockwise236 about the main slide bearing box shaft 212, the compression bracket218 rotates clockwise 238, and the secondary support shafts 134 move 240within the secondary slide bearing boxes 132 to compensate for themovement of the first tower 12 relative to the second and third towers14,16.

In FIG. 25, the first tower 12 is retracted to the bottom position, asthe second and third towers 14, 16 are held at the bottom position. Thesliding bearing 94 of the first tower 12 further moves 244 within theslide bearing box 30 from left to right, until the first tower 12 isfully retracted. The sliding bearing 94 of the second tower 14 ismaintained 246 at the rest position. The main slide bearing box upperbearing assembly 180 of the third tower 16 rotates counter-clockwise 248about the main slide bearing box shaft 212, the compression bracket 218rotates counter-clockwise 250, and the secondary support shafts 134 move252 within the secondary slide bearing boxes 132 to compensate for themovement of the first tower 12 relative to the second and third towers14, 16.

In FIG. 26, the second tower 14 is extended 254 from the bottomposition, as the first and third towers 12, 16 are held at the bottomposition. The sliding bearing 94 of the second tower 14 moves 256 withinthe slide bearing box 30 from left to right, until the second tower 14is fully extended. The sliding bearing 94 of the first tower 12 ismaintained 258 at the rest position. The main slide bearing box upperbearing assembly 180 of the third tower 16 rotates counter-clockwise 260about the main slide bearing box shaft 212, the compression bracket 218rotates counter-clockwise 262, and the secondary support shafts 134 move264 within the secondary slide bearing boxes 132 to compensate for themovement of the second tower 14 relative to the first and third towers12, 16.

It should be appreciated that in the event that an earthquake senor 266(FIG. 53) detects ground vibration above a predetermined level, or awind sensor 267 detects a wind force above a predetermined level, thehydraulic jack control 268 will withdraw all oil so that the threetowers 12, 14, 16 are withdrawn to the bottom position, as shown in FIG.25. This minimizes the moment arm of the towers 12, 14, 16, reducing theoscillation effect on the solar power station 10. The shock absorbers 54of the first and second towers 12, 14 also absorb the horizontalcomponent of vibration produced by external force such as wind andearthquake.

As shown in FIG. 27 a, the shock absorbers 54 of the second supportboxes 36 of the first and second towers 12, 14 maintain the secondsupport boxes 36 at a nominal contact distance 270 from the side of theassociated slide bearing box 30 when the main bearing structures 28, 28′are not exposed to an external horizontal force.

When the main bearing structures 28, 28′ are exposed to an externalhorizontal force 272 from the right (as shown in FIG. 27 b), the force272 moves 274 the first and second support boxes 34, 36 and the supportshaft 32 of both main bearing structures 28, 28′ to the left. The spring88 of the shock absorber 54 of the second support box 36 of main bearingstructure 28 of the first tower 12 is compressed and the spring 88 ofthe shock absorber 54 of the second support box 34 of main bearingstructure 28′ of the second tower 14 is extended, absorbing the force272. At the point where force 272 and the compression force of thespring 88 of main bearing structure 28 and the tension force of thespring 88 of main bearing structure 28′ are at equilibrium, the secondsupport box 36 of the first tower 12 is at a minimum contact distance276 from the side of the associated slide bearing box 30 and the secondsupport box 36 of the second tower 14 is at a maximum contact distance278 from the side of the associated slide bearing box 30. When the force272 is removed, the compression force of the spring 88 of main bearingstructure 28 and the tension force of the spring 88 of main bearingstructure 28′ return the first and second support boxes 34, 36 and thesupport shaft 32 of both main bearing structures 28, 28′ to thepositions shown in FIG. 27 a.

Similarly, when main bearing structures 28, 28′ are exposed to anexternal horizontal force 280 from the left (as shown in FIG. 27 c), theforce 280 moves 282 the first and second support boxes 34, 36 and thesupport shaft 32 of both main bearing structures 28, 28′ to the right.The spring 88 of the shock absorber 54 of the second support box 36 ofmain bearing structure 28′ of the second tower 14 is compressed and thespring 88 of the shock absorber 54 of the second support box 36 of mainbearing structure 28 of the first tower 12 is extended, absorbing theforce 280. At the point where force 280 and the compression force of thespring 88 of main bearing structure 28′ and the tension force of thespring 88 of main bearing structure 28 are at equilibrium, the secondsupport box 36 of the second tower 14 is at a minimum contact distance284 from the side of the associated slide bearing box 30 and the secondsupport box 36 of the first tower 12 is at a maximum contact distance286 from the side of the associated slide bearing box 30. When the force280 is removed, the compression force of the spring 88 of main bearingstructure 28′ and the tension force of the spring 88 of main bearingstructure 28 return the first and second support boxes 34, 36 and thesupport shaft 32 of both main bearing structures 28, 28′ to thepositions shown in FIG. 27 a.

Each of the towers 12, 14, 16 includes multiple, vertically stackedfloors 288 (FIG. 28). Each floor 288 includes an arrangement of robotsR1, R2, R3, R4 and a connecting framework of push and pull steel framesF1, F2. More specifically, the robots R1, R2, R3, R4 and steel framesF1, F2 are organized in groups, HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4, withthe associated robots and steel frames of each group being connectedtogether. The robots R1, R2, R3, R4 of each intermediate floor 288 areconnected to associated robots in each floor 288, 288″ above it and eachfloor 288, 288′ below it. Groups HR1 and VR1 are identical, eachincluding three R3 robots and four R4 robots. The HR2 and VR2 groups arealmost identical, each including three R1 robots, one R2 robot, and oneR4 robot. HR2 also includes four double deck steel frames F1, while VR2also includes three single deck steel frames F2 and one double decksteel frame F1. The HR3 group includes three R1 robots and two R3robots. The VR3 group includes four R1 robots and three R3 robots. TheVR4 group includes three R1 robots and one R4 robot. For the groundfloor 288′, the R1 robots are vibration hydraulic jacks with springs,while for all of the other floors 288, the R1 robots are hydraulicjacks.

With reference to FIGS. 45 to 49, the ground floor 288′ includes anouter, space frame ring 596 which is designed to resist lateral forceexerted on the towers 12, 14, 16 by strong wind or earthquakes, andthereby prevent tension, bearing and torsion forces from pulling therobot groups HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4 out of the space framering 596. The space frame ring 596 comprises a framework includingsupporting members 598, first bracing members 600, vertical members 602,second bracing members 604, first gusset plates 606, horizontal members608, second gusset plates 610, and bracket 612 that are fastenedtogether by bolts and nuts. The footing of supporting members 598 andthe footing of vertical members 602 are fastened to a base member 614which is in turn fastened to the foundation 616, preferably by nuts andbolts. A solid rod or pole 618 extends vertically upward from a footfixed within a bottom flange 620 mounted to the base member 614, througha lower spring 622, an upper flange 624 having a lower flange half 626and an upper flange half 628, an upper plate 630 clamped between thelower and upper flange halves (626, 628), an upper spring 632, to a headfixed within an opening in the bracket 612. The top end of the upperspring 632 engages the lower surface of the bracket 612 and the bottomend of the upper spring 632 engages the top surface of the upper flangehalf 628. The top end of the lower spring 622 engages the lower surfaceof the lower flange half 626 and the bottom end of the lower spring 632engages the top surface of the bottom flange 620. In the event of astrong wind or earthquake, the upper plate 630 can move verticallyupward and downward along the pole 618 such that the upper and lowersprings 632 622 absorb the shock energy generated by lateral forcesexerted on the tower by the wind or the earthquake.

FIGS. 48 and 49 illustrate the ground floor 288′ and a typical floorconnection. The ground floor base member 614 is connected to the tiebeam members 634 of the upper plate 630 by the ground floor pole 618,which is mounted to the piling or foundation 616 and extends through theupper flange 624 mounted to the upper plate 630. The ground floor robotgroups HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4 are mounted to the tie beammembers 636 of the ground floor base member 614 and to the tie beammembers 634 of upper plate 630 of the ground floor 288′. The tie beammembers 634 are mounted to the upper plate 630 by gusset plates and bybolts and nuts or welds. The connections for the upper floors 288 arethe same as described above for the ground floor 288′, where the upperplate 630 of each lower floor acts as the base member of each subsequentfloor. For example, the robot groups HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3, VR4of the second floor are mounted to the tie beam members 634 of the upperplate 630 of the ground floor 288′ and to the tie beam members 634′ ofthe upper plate 630′ of the second floor.

FIG. 29 is an enlarged view of the HR1 and VR1 groups of FIG. 28. EachHR1 and VR1 group includes four R4 robots 640, 642, 644, 646 and threeR3 robots 648, 650, 652. FIG. 30 is an enlarged view of the HR3 group ofFIG. 28. Each HR3 group includes three R1 robots 654, 656, 658 and twoR3 robots 660, 662. FIG. 31 is an enlarged view of the VR3 group of FIG.28. Each VR3 group includes four R1 robots 664, 666, 668, 670 and threeR3 robots 672, 674, 676. FIG. 32 is an enlarged view of the HR2 group ofFIG. 28. Each HR2 group includes three R1 robots 318, 322, 326, one R4robot 332, and one R2 robot 678. FIG. 33 is an enlarged view of the VR2group of FIG. 28. Each VR2 group includes three R1 robots 334, 336, 338,one R4 robot 340, and one R2 robot 680. FIG. 50 is an enlarged view ofthe VR4 group of FIG. 28. Each VR4 group includes three R1 robots 334′,336′, 338′ and one R4 robot 340′.

The R1, R2, R3, and R4 robots all have a horizontal roller frame 290,292, 304, 308 on each side of the robot. The R1 robots also have a pairof hydraulic jacks 294 is mounted to each of the horizontal rollerframes 290. More specifically, a first end 298 of both hydraulic jacks296 of each pair 294 is mounted to the first end 300 of the respectivehorizontal roller frame 290.

For the HR1 and VR1 groups (FIG. 29), the R3 robots are disposed betweenthe R4 robots, with the first ends 306 of the horizontal roller frames304 of the R3 robots being connected to the first ends 310 of thehorizontal roller frames 308 of the adjacent R4 robots.

For the HR3 group (FIG. 30), the R3 robots are disposed between the R1robots, with the first ends 306 of the horizontal roller frames 304 ofthe R3 robots being connected to the first ends 300 of the horizontalroller frames 290 of the adjacent R1 robots, and a pair of hydraulicjacks 294 being disposed between the R1 robot and the R3 robot.

For the VR3 group (FIG. 31), the R3 robots are disposed between the R1robots, with the first ends 306 of the horizontal roller frames 304 ofthe R3 robots being connected to the first ends 300 of the horizontalroller frames 290 of the adjacent R1 robots, and a pair of hydraulicjacks 294 being disposed between the R1 robot and the R3 robot.

For the HR2 group (FIG. 32), the three R1 robots 318, 322, 326 areadjacent, one R4 robot 332 is disposed at one end of the group of R1robots, and one R2 robot 678 mounted to R1 robot 318. The first ends 302of the extended double deck steel frame segments 291 of the horizontalroller frames 292 of the R2 robot are connected to the first ends 300 ofthe horizontal roller frames 290 of R1 robot 318. A first end 312 of afirst double deck steel frame F1 314 is connected to the second end 316of the horizontal roller frames 290 of the first R1 robot 318 and thesecond end 320 of the first steel frame F1 314 is connected to the firstend 300 of the horizontal roller frames 290 of the second R1 robot 322.Similarly, the first end 312 of the second steel frame F1 324 isconnected to the second end 316 of the horizontal roller frames 290 ofthe second R1 robot 322, the second end 320 of the second steel frame F1324 is connected to the first end 300 of the horizontal roller frames290 of the third R1 robot 326, the first end 312 of the third steelframe F1 328 is connected to the second end 316 of the horizontal rollerframes 290 of the third R1 robot 326, and the second end 320 of thethird steel frame F1 328 is connected to the second end 330 of thehorizontal roller frames 308 of the R4 robot 332.

The VR2 group (FIG. 33) and VR4 group (FIG. 50) are very similar, eachof the groups having three adjacent R1 robots 334, 336, 338, 334′, 336′,338′ and one R4 robot 340, 340′ that is disposed at one end of the groupof R1 robots. A first end 342 of a first single deck steel frame F2 344is connected to the second end 316 of the horizontal roller frames 290of the first R1 robot 334, 334′ and the second end 346 of the firststeel frame F2 344 is connected to the first end 300 of the horizontalroller frames 290 of the second R1 robot 336, 336′. Similarly, the firstend 342 of the second steel frame F2 348 is connected to the second end316 of the horizontal roller frames 290 of the second R1 robot 336,336′, the second end 346 of the second steel frame F2 348 is connectedto the first end 300 of the horizontal roller frames 290 of the third R1robot 338, 338′, the first end 342 of the third steel frame F2 350 isconnected to the second end 316 of the horizontal roller frames 290 ofthe third R1 robot 338, 338′, and the second end 346 of the third steelframe F2 350 is connected to the second end 330 of the horizontal rollerframes 308 of the R4 robot 340, 340′. The VR2 group (FIG. 33) also hasone R2 robot 680 disposed at the second end of the group of R1 robots,with the first ends 302 of the extended double deck steel frame segments291 of the horizontal roller frames 292 of the R2 robot being connectedto the first ends 300 of the horizontal roller frames 290 of R1 robot334.

As shown in FIGS. 34 a-34 d, the single deck steel frames F2 of the VR2groups passes through the gap 351 formed by the steel members 352 of thedouble deck steel frames F1 of the HR2 groups. In FIGS. 34 b and 34 d,hydraulic fluid has been pumped into the hydraulic jacks 296 of the HR1,HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3 and VR4 groups, pushing the second ends 354 ofthe hydraulic jacks 296 away from each other and thereby pushing thefloors away from each other. This causes the towers to extend from thebottom position 22. As the second ends 354 of the hydraulic jacks 296are pushed away from each other, the horizontal roller frames 290, 308move 356 from right to left direction, the VR1, VR3 and HR2 groupsproducing movement in the X direction and the HR1, HR3, VR4 and VR2groups producing movement in the Y direction (FIG. 1). In FIGS. 34 a and34 c, hydraulic fluid has been released from the hydraulic jacks 296 ofthe HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2, VR3 and VR4 groups, allowing the weight ofthe floor to push the second ends 354 of the hydraulic jacks 296 towardseach other, causing the towers to retract to the bottom position 22.

With reference to FIGS. 51 a and 51 b, the arrangement of the VR2 andHR2 groups of the ground floor 288′ is the same as described above,except that the hydraulic jacks of robots R1 are replaced with avibration hydraulic jack with spring 484. The ground floor 288′ has aspecial function. When a great wind force or earthquake occurs, theground floor hydraulic jacks with springs 484 will absorb the energy. Ifthe vibration force exceeds the absorption capacity of the hydraulicjacks with springs 484 at their rest supporting stage, the vibrationforce will push the robot groups in HR2 and VR2 down from top to bottomlevel, the horizontal roller frames 292, 290, 308 move from left toright. Finally the R1 robot transfers the energy force through the pushand pull frame F1 and F2 to the adjacent R1 robots and into the R2robot. The HR2 group transfers the x-direction force to the end ofgroup, at the same time the VR2 group transfers the y-direction force tothe end of group. The floorwill be pushed down uniformly to the samelevel at the same time until the hydraulic jacks with springs 484 of theHR2 and VR2 groups absorb all the energy. When the vibration force isremoved, the hydraulic jacks with springs 484 will push the HR2 and VR2groups back to original position.

FIGS. 35-43 are external and internal views of robots R1, R3, R4 and R5showing the relationship of the robot components as they move from thebottom position to the extended position. Movement of the robots R1, R3,R4 and R5 is controlled by the hydraulic jacks. For robots R1, eachhydraulic jack 296 has a first end 298 connected to a shaft extendingthrough the side of horizontal roller frame 290 and a second end 354having a base 358. For robots R5, each vibration hydraulic jack withspring 484 has a first end 486 connected to a shaft extending throughthe side of horizontal roller frame 488 and a second end 490 having abase 492.

An upper arm 360, 388, 420, 452 has a first end connected to an upperclipper 362, 390, 422, 454 and the second end connected to a roller 364,392, 424, 456 and a lower arm 366, 394, 426, 458 has a first endconnected to a lower clipper 368, 396, 428, 460 and a second endconnected to the roller 364, 392, 424, 456. Each horizontal roller frame290, 308, 304, 488 includes two frame members 369, 398, 430, 462 thatare mounted together at each end by a pair of mounting members 371,400,432, 464. The roller 364, 392, 424, 456 extends through a slot 370, 402,434, 466 formed between the two frame members 369, 398, 430, 462 and islocked therein by a washer 372, 404, 436,468 mounted to the roller 364,392, 424, 456.

When the robots are extended, the upper clipper 362, 390,422, 454 ispushed upward and lower clipper 368, 396, 428, 460 is pushed downward,and the upper arm 360, 388, 420, 452 and lower arm 366, 394, 426, 458urge roller 364, 392, 424, 456 away from the first end 300, 310, 306,494 of the horizontal roller frame 290, 308, 304, 488 toward the secondend 316, 330, 307, 496 of the horizontal roller frame 290, 308, 304,488. An upper cable clevis 374, 406, 438, 470 is fixed on the shaftbetween the upper base 376, 408, 440, 472 and the upper clipper 362,390, 422, 454 and a lower cable clevis 378, 410, 442, 474 is fixed onthe shaft between the lower base 380, 412, 444, 476 and the lowerclipper 368, 396, 428, 460. A first end of secondary cable 382, 414,446, 478 is fastened to the main cable 384, 416, 448, 480 by a clip 385(FIG. 43) and the second end is fastened to the retractable cable reel386, 418, 450, 482.

When the robots retract, the upper clipper 362, 390, 422, 454 is pusheddownward, the lower clipper 368, 396, 428, 460 is pushed upward, and thesecondary cable 382, 414, 446, 478 is rolled onto the retractable cableroller 386, 418, 450, 482, pulling the secondary cables 382, 414, 446,478 and the main cables 384, 416, 448, 480.

FIG. 40 shows a locking device 548 for locking the upper clipper 362 tothe lower clipper 368. The locking device 548 includes a shaft 550 thatis reciprocally moved by a hydraulic jack 552. The end of the hydraulicjack 552 is mounted to the shaft 550 by a pin 554 that passes through apair of angles 556 and a slot in the jack shaft 558. The angles 556 aremounted to the shaft 550. The jack body 560 is mounted to the lowerclipper 368 by a pin 562 that passes through plates 564, mounted toanother pair of angles 566, and the jack body 560. The angles 566 aremounted to the guide 568. Three guides 568, 570, 572 are mounted to thelower clipper 368 and one guide 574 is mounted to the upper clipper 362for guiding and receiving the shaft 550. The shaft 550 extends throughthe first and second guides 568, 570 in both the unlocked and lockedpositions. When Robot R1 and R4 are in the bottom position, the fourthguide 574 mounted to the upper clipper 362 aligns with the first, secondand third guides 568, 570, 572 mounted to the lower clipper 368. At thistime, the hydraulic jack 552 may be actuated to extend the jack shaft558 and the shaft 550 through the fourth guide 574 and into the thirdguide 572, thereby locking the upper clipper 362 to the lower clipper368. To extend Robot R1 and R4, the hydraulic jack 552 must again beactuated to withdraw the jack shaft 558 and the shaft 550 from the thirdand fourth guides 572, 574.

As shown in FIG. 41, the cable reel 386, 418, 450, 482, includes a pairof coil springs 576, 578. Each coil spring 576, 578 has a first endfixed to a wall of an internal cylinder 580 of recess wheel 582 by boltand nut that pass through the recess wheel 582 and then fix to the shaft584, the second end is fixed to the external cylinder 586 by bolt andnut. The internal and external cylinders 580, 586 are mounted to acenter nut 588. The center nut 588 has a recess 590 having an opening592 through which passes the secondary cable 382, 414, 446, 478. A lock594 holds the secondary cable 382, 414, 446, 478.

FIGS. 44 and 52 are external and internal views of robot R2 showing therelationship of the robot components as they move from the bottomposition to the extended position. Movement of the robots R2 iscontrolled by the hydraulic jacks of the robots R1.

Robot R2 comprises a first pair of clipper assemblies 497, each of theclipper assemblies 497 including an upper arm 498 having a first endconnected to an upper clipper 500 and a second end connected to a roller502, and a lower arm 504 having a first end connected to a lower clipper506 and a second end connected to the roller 502. The roller extendsthrough a slot formed in each horizontal roller frame 292. The secondend 301 of the extended double deck frame F1 291 is connected to theroller 502. The first ends of the upper and lower clippers 500, 506 eachhave a base 508, 510 and the second ends of the upper and lower clippers500, 506 are each connected to a shaft 512, 514 by a slot plate 516.Slot plate 516 is mounted to the second end 518 of horizontal rollerframe 292 by fixed plate 520 and bracket frame 522 by bolts and nuts.The shafts 512, 514 are locked to the slot plate 516 by round disklockers. The upper clipper 500 is fixed to an upper transverse frame 524and the lower clipper 504 is fixed to a lower transverse frame 526.

Robot R2 also comprises a second pair of clipper assemblies 528, each ofthe clipper assemblies 528 including upper and lower clippers 530, 532.The first ends of the upper and lower clippers 530, 532 each have a base534, 536 and the second ends of the upper and lower clippers 530, 532are each connected to a shaft 538, 540 by a pair of slot plates 542.Slot plates 542 are mounted to the first end 302 of horizontal rollerframe 292 by fixed plate 544 and by bolts and nuts. The shafts 538, 540are locked to the slot plate 542 by round disk lockers. The upperclipper 530 is fixed to an upper transverse frame 524′ and the lowerclipper 532 is fixed to a lower transverse frame 526′.

When the robots are extended, the upper clippers 500, 530 are pulledupward and lower clippers 506, 532 are pulled downward, and the upperarm 498 and lower arm 504 urge roller 502 away from the first end 302 ofthe horizontal roller frame 292 toward the second end of the horizontalroller frame 292 (FIG. 52). When the extended double deck frame F1 291engages the panel 546 connected to the horizontal roller 502, the robotR2 has reached its maximum extension and the floor is locked at themaximum height, preventing over extension of the robots.

While preferred embodiments have been shown and described, variousmodifications and substitutions may be made thereto without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is to beunderstood that the present invention has been described by way ofillustration and not limitation.

1. A solar power station comprising: a solar panel assembly having asubstantially planar solar panel having longitudinal and lateral axes;and a plurality of towers, each of the towers being individuallyextendable from a bottom position to an extended position, each of thetowers having an upper end and a main bearing structure pivotallymounting the solar panel assembly to the tower upper end, the mainbearing structure of at least one of the towers comprising: a main slidebearing box mounted to the tower upper end, the main slide bearing boxhaving longitudinal and lateral axes; a main support shaft extendinglongitudinally through the main slide bearing box, the main supportshaft having oppositely disposed first and second end portions and beinglongitudinally and rotationally movable relative to the main slidebearing box; and first and second support boxes mounted on the mainsupport shaft first and second end portions, respectively, and to thesolar panel assembly; wherein selectively moving one or more of thetowers rotates the solar panel about one or both of the axes whereby thesolar panel is maintained at an optimal orientation for collecting solarpower.
 2. The solar power station of claim 1 wherein the main slidebearing box includes: a lower mounting assembly fixedly mounted to thetower upper end and an upper bearing assembly having a longitudinalopening for receiving the main support shaft, the upper bearing assemblybeing pivotally mounted to the mounting assembly about the lateral axis.3. The solar power station of claim 2 wherein the upper bearing assemblyincludes a slide bearing having a shape complimentary to that of themain support shaft disposed around the opening.
 4. The solar powerstation of claim 1 wherein the solar power station includes first,second and third towers, the first tower being longitudinally spacedfrom the second tower and the third tower being laterally spaced fromthe first and second towers.
 5. The solar power station of claim 4wherein the main bearing structure of the first and second towerscomprises: the main slide bearing box; the main support shaft; and thefirst and second support boxes.
 6. The solar power station of claim 5wherein the main bearing structure of the third tower further comprises:the main slide bearing box; the main support shaft; first and secondsecondary slide bearing boxes longitudinally mounted on the main supportshaft first and second end portions; first and second secondary supportshafts extending laterally through the first and secondary slide bearingboxes, respectively, each of the secondary support shafts havingoppositely disposed first and second end portions; and first and secondsupport boxes mounted on each of the first and second secondary supportshafts, and to the solar panel assembly.
 7. A solar power stationcomprising: a solar panel assembly having a substantially planar solarpanel having longitudinal and lateral axes; and a plurality of towers,each of the towers being individually extendable from a bottom positionto an extended position, each of the towers having an upper end and amain bearing structure pivotally mounting the solar panel assembly tothe tower upper end, each of the towers comprising a plurality ofvertically stacked floors, including a ground floor and at least oneupper floor, a top-most of the upper floors defining the tower upperend, each of the floors including an arrangement of robots (R1, R2, R3,R4) and a connecting framework of push and pull steel frames (F1, F2),the robots of each floor being connected to each vertically adjacentfloor; wherein selectively moving one or more of the towers rotates thesolar panel about one or both of the axes whereby the solar panel ismaintained at an optimal orientation for collecting solar power.
 8. Thesolar power station of claim 7 wherein the robots (R1, R2, R3, R4) andsteel frames (F1, F2) are organized in groups (HR1, HR2, HR3, VR1, VR2,VR3, VR4), the associated robots and steel frames of each group beingconnected together.
 9. The solar power station of claim 8, wherein theHR1 groups and the VR1 groups are identical, each of the groupsincluding three R3 robots and four R4 robots.
 10. The solar powerstation of claim 8, wherein the HR2 groups include three R1 robots, oneR2 robot, one R4 robot and four double deck steel frames F1.
 11. Thesolar power station of claim 8, wherein the VR2 groups include three R1robots, one R2 robot, one R4 robot, one double deck steel frame F1, andthree single deck steel frames F2.
 12. The solar power station of claim8, wherein the HR3 groups include three R1 robots and two R3 robots. 13.The solar power station of claim 8, wherein the VR3 groups include fourR1 robots and three R3 robots.
 14. The solar power station of claim 8,wherein the VR4 group includes three R1 robots, one R4 robot, and threesingle deck steel frames F2.
 15. The solar power station of claim 7,wherein the R1 robots include hydraulic jacks for moving the towersbetween the bottom and extended positions.
 16. The solar power stationof claim 15, wherein the hydraulic jacks of the R1 robots of the groundfloor includes springs.
 17. The solar power station of claim 7, whereinthe ground floor further includes: a base member; an upper platedefining a plurality of openings; a plurality of spring devices disposedbetween the base member and the upper plate; and a plurality of poles,each of the poles extending vertically, from a foot mounted to the basemember, through a one of the upper plate openings; wherein during astrong wind or an earthquake, the upper plate moves vertically upward ordownward along the pole whereby the spring devices absorb shock energygenerated by lateral forces exerted on the tower by the wind or theearthquake.
 18. The solar power station of claim 17 wherein each of thespring devices includes at least one spring disposed around a one of thepoles.
 19. The solar power station of claim 17 wherein the ground floorfurther includes an outer, space frame ring defining a framework mountedto the base member and having a plurality of brackets disposed above theupper plate, each of the brackets defining an opening for receiving aone of the poles, whereby the space frame ring constrains horizontaldeflection of the poles.
 20. The solar power station of claim 17 whereineach upper floor includes an upper plate defining a plurality ofopenings, a one of the poles extending through each of the openings, therobots of each upper floor being connected to the upper plate of therespective floor and the upper plate of the floor vertically below therespective floor.
 21. The solar power station of claim 1 wherein thesecond support box includes a shock absorber biasing the second supportbox to a nominal contact distance from the slide bearing box when themain bearing structure is not exposed to an external horizontal force,the shock absorber permitting relative movement between the secondsupport box and the slide bearing box during a high wind or anearthquake, whereby the shock absorber absorbs the external force of thehigh wind or earthquake.
 22. A solar power station comprising: a solarpanel assembly having a substantially planar solar panel havinglongitudinal and lateral axes; and first, second and third towers, thefirst tower being longitudinally spaced from the second tower and thethird tower being laterally spaced from the first and second towers,each of the towers including a plurality of vertically stacked floors,including a ground floor and at least one upper floor, a top-most of theupper floors defining an upper end, a main bearing structure pivotallymounting the solar panel assembly to the tower upper end, an arrangementof robots (R1, R2, R3, R4), the robots of each floor being connected toeach vertically adjacent floor, at least some of the robots includinghydraulic jacks, and a connecting framework of push and pull steelframes (F1, F2); and a controller for selectively actuating thehydraulic jacks, whereby each of the towers is individually extendablefrom a bottom position to an extended position; wherein selectivelymoving one or more of the towers rotates the solar panel about one orboth of the axes whereby the solar panel is maintained at an optimalorientation for collecting solar power.